🔗 Share this article

Ex- FBI chief James Comey has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to lawmakers and impeding a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's lawyer filed the plea acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

Patrick Fitzgerald announced he would try to have the proceedings dismissed for several causes including that his client, a detractor of former President Trump, was being singled out.

Mr Comey was charged just days after Trump pushed his top legal official to proceed against him.

Legal Proceedings

During the hearing on mid-week, his attorney Mr Fitzgerald told the judge they aimed to submit several motions to dismiss the proceedings before a trial, stating the legal action was retaliatory and that a federal prosecutor was wrongfully appointed to take over the case.

The former director's case was initially overseen by the original attorney, who stepped down under scrutiny from Trump after his examination into an additional political adversary - the New York official - did not succeed to bring criminal charges.

Courtroom Atmosphere

Mr Comey came across in good spirits as he walked into the courtroom on Wednesday, speaking with his legal team and sharing humor. He was supported by his spouse, Patrice Failor and child Maureen, a US lawyer who the previous administration terminated.

Upon hearing to the magistrate read his rights and the dual charges against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, James Comey was asked if he grasped the allegations.

"I do your honour. Appreciate it," he told the judge.

Historical Information

Mr Comey was the FBI Director from 2013-2017 and was fired about a few months into Donald Trump's first administration as president. At the moment, the director was overseeing an probe into foreign election meddling and whether there were any links between Moscow and the election effort.

Throughout his leadership, James Comey triggered a negative reaction from Democrats when he stated just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's use of a personal email system. Charges against Hillary Clinton were not filed, causing criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Present Charges

Government attorneys claim James Comey gave untrue statements to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being questioned about both the email probe as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They say he provided false information to the Senate by stating he had not approved someone at the FBI to release to news outlets details about the government examinations.

Prosecutors also accuse James Comey of "wrongfully trying to affect, obstruct and impede" the legislative group by providing untrue information to it.

Individual Responses

Through a recording Mr Comey published to his social media after he was accused, he stated he was innocent and charged the former president of behaving like a "autocrat".

"We have been aware for considerable time that there are ramifications to opposing Donald Trump," he said. "We will not live on our bended knee."

"I have done nothing wrong," he stated further. "So let's have a legal proceeding."

The charges against Mr Comey came after the former president shared on online platforms calling for his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, charge James Comey and others.